Where Can You Find the Best Used Cars? Buying a car can be one of the most exciting moments in your life. Whether you're picking up your first set of wheels with Mom and Dad, or replacing your old reliable with something new-to-you, buying a car is exciting. But it's also expensive. That's why many people decide to start by looking at used cars rather than something fresh off the lot.
Best Option
If you have ever planned a vacation using TripAdvisor and found it useful, consider trying CarGurus to get your next car. Founded by the same person as TripAdvisor in 2006, CarGurus has grown into one of the most visited online car marketplaces in the US. The site uses detailed analytics to provide insights into a car's value, rating it from "overpriced" to "great deal" and everything in between. CarGurus is also a valuable resource for information. The Research tab offers Test Drive Reviews, Price Trends, Tips & Advice, and General Information on topics like choosing between certified pre-owned and used vehicles or understanding used car warranties.
Jump right into browsing
Getting started on CarGurus allows you to search by make and model or show all vehicles in your zip code area; however, you can't filter by features or price ranges right away. These options become available after selecting a make/model or entering your zip code. Compared to other sites, CarGurus might seem basic at first. On the other hand, once you reach the main search window, you can refine your search by color, features, dealer rating, NHTSA Overall Safety Rating, price, distance, drivetrain, transmission, fuel economy, safety rating, and more. There is also a payment estimator tool to help you search only for cars in your price range.
22,619 used vehicles in inventory
CarGurus has a solid inventory of used vehicles. In our local area (and within 50 miles), there were 22,619 different used vehicles listed. To break that down among different body styles, there were 5,927 sedan styles, 10,547 crossovers, 3,621 trucks, and 1,077 coupes (two doors). Most of the vehicles were sold by dealerships with only 181 private sellers for used cars in our area.
Detailed and transparent listings
CarGurus provides clear and detailed listings. Each one shows which dealership is selling the car, how long it has been listed, how many people have saved it, any price changes, and a price analysis comparing it to similar vehicles. You can also view numerous photos, look up the VIN, review the features, and get an idea of available financing options. Each listing also includes a helpful payment calculator tool where you can enter your planned down payment amount and your current estimated credit score to see how much you'll likely spend per month on different payment terms. This transparency helps you make informed decisions about your potential purchase.
Prices from $500
At CarGurus, we found used cars between $500 to $3,250,000. The cheapest car ended up being a Kia Amati from 2004, while the most expensive was a 2022 Lamborghini Aventador. To give you an idea of how prices compare across sites, we looked at the same four cars at every auto seller: the basic sedan (Toyota Corolla), a crossover (Nissan Rogue), an electric vehicle (Tesla Model 3), and a luxury/sport vehicle (Jaguar F-Type). Here's what we found at CarGurus:
Contact with dealers is simple
Once you locate the car you want on CarGurus, contacting the dealership is straightforward. There's a form on the right side of the listing page where you can tell the dealership how you want to proceed, with options like "I'd like to know your best price" or "I'd like to test drive this". You can also engage in an online chat with the dealer if you want a more direct connection. Some cars are eligible for delivery, indicated by a small truck icon on their listings. For information on refund policies, you'll need to reach out to the dealership directly.
Different reviews for different dealerships
CarGurus holds an "A+" accreditation from the BBB, with almost no complaints in the last year. The few concerned reviews left for this provider relate more to listing vehicles than buying cars. Reviewers who were shopping typically reported positively on CarGurus. Trustpilot reviewers give CarGurus an average rating of 3.9 stars. However, your purchasing experience largely hinges on the dealership. Many buyers have purchased five or more cars through CarGurus and appreciate the entire process. Conversely, some have voiced dissatisfaction, citing dealerships' failure to honor CarGurus' pricing or provide accurate details.
Massive inventory wins the day
CarGurus provides an extensive range of listings, simplifying the process of locating cars and contacting dealerships. The pricing insights provide clarity on negotiation potential. Despite some mixed feedback, its option for at-home delivery makes it a reliable choice, especially if you prefer a wide selection of used cars to explore. Because of these factors, CarGurus receives a top-notch 5-star rating and holds our #1 spot among websites for researching and purchasing used cars.
Continued from above...
Buying a car can be one of the most exciting moments in your life. Whether you're picking up your first set of wheels with Mom and Dad, or replacing your old reliable with something new-to-you, buying a car is exciting. But it's also expensive. That's why many people decide to start by looking at used cars rather than something fresh off the lot.
The options open up significantly when you start looking at used cars (and some of them are even better than new ones). Looking for something low-cost but with modern safety features? Finding a low-mileage used car is a perfect way to score a deal. Looking for a classic car that isn't manufactured anymore? The used car market is where you want to start. No matter what you're looking for, you can find millions of used cars out there that fit the bill, and they'll come out much cheaper than buying something new from the dealership.
Used car shopping can be as frustrating as new car shopping if you have to go in person. Haggling for prices and trying to talk with dealership salespeople can easily turn your excitement into frustration. But with online auto sales, you can dodge all the unpleasantness of dealership sales tactics and shop for used cars from the comfort of your own home. Plus, you won't lose out on opportunities to try out the vehicle, as most places allow a test drive period when you select something. You can fully research your vehicle online, and most retailers allow you to have the car delivered directly to your home. Today's used car buying process is completely different from what it was even ten years ago.
Getting your next used car through online services is a breeze. You can browse through different makes, models, colors, and years. Like the look of the Ford Mustang before the 2020 update? Check out used vehicles online. Online auto sale platforms give detailed information about each car, such as safety ratings, features, detailed photos of the interior and exterior, and prices (with monthly payment or lease calculator tools). For safety and mechanical features, you can see details and trim levels with advanced driver assistance systems, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane assist. By browsing the inventory of many dealerships and sellers, finding a top-level model is much easier than shopping locally.
One of the biggest advantages of buying a used car online is access to a wider array of options than shopping in person. Most online auto trading sites have a larger inventory from dealerships across the country, allowing you to find the exact model and color you want, depending on how far you want to go to get your dream car.
With so many places to buy used cars, it might be hard to know where to start. Don't worry - we've put together this list of factors to consider when looking for a used car online, to make sure you get the best deal and experience:
To help you find your next used car, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best online car shopping options available today. Whether you need a new family car, a vehicle for towing, a first-time car for a college student, or the dream classic car you've been saving for, we hope our research will help you save time in the car-buying process and connect you with a vehicle you'll love to drive.
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